Cobra Country/ Ebay/ Hemmings/ Where to Advertise?
 

Okay, I'm finally ready to sell. I've been on the fence for a while and really couldn't make a solid decision. Well, I have a bunch more projects that keep me away and the ole girl just sits. I've enjoyed the car immensely but realize I probably enjoyed the build side more. It probably comes from my history of building race cars and working on customer cars. They have always been in and out without remorse. It will be a sad day when she's gone though, I know!

My question is this: which selling medium should I try to use to advertise. In your experiences which has more traffic, less problems, and better results? I don't want to saturate the market with my car in 4 different spots! I'm a little nervous with ebay and being a target for fake bids. I know Cobra Country gets more of a Cobra crowd but it's limited too. My buddy thinks Hemmings is the way to go. Another friend wants me to consign with him and have it in his showroom. I want to do something soon but the friggin weather won't cooperate as to get better pics!! So in the mean time I figured I'd ask the CC experts here. Thanks in advanced! Matt

FIA-ERA,

In my opinion it depends on the car, or in this case, Cobra.
For a vintage Cobra, word of mouth is strong as well some of the finer auction houses and premeir dealers. A premeir dealer selling a replica can get TOUGH (long wait to sell, optimistic asking price, 'different' clientele).
For most good quality replicas I believe Cobra Country is the best way to go. Ebay has seen all types but they wouldn't be at the top of my list.
Local options like Craigslist limits your buyers by your area.
I've had luck with in Hemmings. I bought my Autokraft through 'them' and IMO seemed like the best fit for such a Cobra.

Funny though, I bought my SPF from Craigslist and got very good deal. If the seller had advertised on Cobra Country I'm sure he would have gotten very close to his asking price.

For an ERA, I'd say Cobra Country is the best bet. People looking for an ERA will find Cobra Country. I'm pretty certain of that.

Without a doubt Cobra Country as the #1 cobra selling medium. People who are shopping for a cobra are normally checking cobra country religiously. Hemmings is more likely to be people looking for a TR3. Saying that I bought my first cobra - a used Unique FIA - from a Hemmings ad. The seller had never heard of cobra country. I sold that car 2 years later on Cobra Country and ordered my new ERA from Peter.

My cobra Country ad was very effective - I Immediately had calls, and a very well informed buyer showed up for a test drive with cash, and we went to the bank and completed the transaction.

Cobra Country gets my vote.

Make sure you read my "how to sell a used Cobra" along with the photo FAQ on Cobra Country.

"The first thing you have to do is come up with a set of "comps" on your car. This is much harder then it sounds (do not let yourself think that just because you saw one car sell for $40,000, and your car needs "just a little work" to make it look like that one, that you can get $35,000 for it), as each and every car is different from yours in one way shape or form. Next, you need to sit down and write up a very detailed description of the car, list the good and the bad, disclose everything about the car up front and you'll have less questions that need to be asked. List the interior condition, exterior condition, drivetrain, suspension, paint, rust, it's history if you know it, factory options, awards won, etc and so forth. After all of that is done, print it out and read it for continuity, if it reads choppy to you, and does not flow, then you need to rewrite it until it flows better. Next, find a well lit area and take lots of pictures as you can never have too many detail shots, (make sure to force the flash on every shot if need be) Every panel should have at least one shot to cover it, take shots of the interior, dash, seats, etc. Engine compartment shots from the front, then the side, trunk shots to show the detailing (or lack of detailing). List the full VIN, and how the car is titled. When you think you have everything listed, put yourself in the buyers position and ask any and all of the questions as if you were going to be buying the car. Again, write down the answers and incorporate anything you might have missed in to your original advertisement. When you have all of this information then, and only then should you post your "for sale" notice."


Bill S.

Mine sold on Ebay after the fourth listing. I got a lot of interest from an add on this site. Cobra Country is pricey and I did not get any good hits. Curt's photography advice was helpful and ultimately the pictures he dolled up may have helped sell the car on Ebay.

Next ERA will go on Ebay, Club Cobra and Craigs list.

Good luck on the sale. I love the color of your car.

John

Thanks for the great comments and suggestions. Trying to find "comps" for a "FIA" will be much much harder to do! Bill you and I both know how many FIA's actually come up for sale, not many... So how do you determine that threshold? Do you use this one for comps:):3DSMILE: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Other...arsQ5fTrucks?? It's obviously over priced! Nice but seriously. I agree on the pics and I'll work on it as soon as it quits RAINING/ SNOWING/ ETC. Geez! Thanks, Matt

Matt,

I'll send you a PM with current "sold" comps.


Bill S.

I just went through this while selling a Cobra for a friend. I did sell sheets, advertised on this forum and the other one and was about to place an ad on Cobra Country. I was nearly 3 months into the process at this point.

Then, I stopped by a high end used car dealer (BMW, Jag, Porsche, Range Rover, Lambo, etc) to talk with him. We made a deal on a consignment. Within 2 weeks, we had a deal where a guy came in and wanted to trade his 2008 Mustang GT500 convertible for the car. The dealer took the Mustang in trade and my friend got his money.

You should consider the advantages of doing it this way. A lot of traffic (he put it on his website and on Autotrader), and opened up the possibility of attracting the market looking for a trade. He charged me $250 for listing the car on his site and in Autotrader. In the final analysis, he charged another $1,000. Effortless on my part.

I would do it again.

Ive sold 5 Cobras over the last 15 years and 1 was on Clubcobra and the other 4 were on Cobracountry. Ebay was nothing but tire kickers and Hemmings is really only good for the real ones....

I sold my Shelby GT Mustang from an ad in AutoTrader. Ads for modern on-line are free. They charged for the Cobra ad in their classics. That comes with a print version too.

I bought two cobras on cobracountry and sold four. More serious buyers then eBay. Good luck.

In addition, place the ad in Craig's List at no charge

Bought mine on CobraCountry. That was before I was aware of Club Cobra:eek:.

How much does Cobra Country charge to list/sell on their site?

From Cobra Country:

"It’ll cost you about $220 or so to run a “regular” ad (2-month run) on
CobraCountry... about $300 for a Prestige Showcase page (3-month run).

That’s to a packed house of Cobra, Daytona Coupe and GT40 enthusiasts.

How’s that for “short and sweet”? "

The Cobra Country website design/layout is circa 2000, but all reports are that they kick axx when it comes to selling a Cobra. :)

Matt,

Sorry to hear that your FIA is going up for sale ... but understand that it will make room for another project and someone will wind up with a great car. Before I pulled the trigger with ERA, I looked long and hard for an ERA FIA ... they just don't come up for sale that often and there are only around 140 or so built to date, if I am doing the math correctly.

That being said, like the guys have mentioned:

- Cobra Country
- Club Cobra
- Auto Trader

would be my top three choices to advertise.

Just based on the popularity of the 427 cars, the market for an FIA is much smaller, but there does seem to be genuine interest in these cars.

Best of luck with the sale and have fun with your next project!

- Tim

Thanks Tim and others for the great advice/ comments. Mr. Bill I got your PM, thanks too. Tim your right on the money for the rarity of ERA FIA's! We are kinda in a group all our own. I know of more ERA FIA's that are still a part than are together too. I went to a car show twice with this car and none of the Cobra guys there had ever even seen a FIA in person before. Some said, what is this?? It's pretty neat to have a car that most other Cobra guy's regard as rare. The price is a problem because there still is a huge swing with the FIA cars. Just like the 427 crowds, there are some that say "that's it I'm done" and "fire sale" the cars for cheap. Then there's the as some would say fishing for that sucker out there and the cars are no where near that price in reality. I've had several inquiries over the past year but no actual lookers. I couldn't imagine being able to buy a "new" one from ERA for anything under $54K (correct me if I'm wrong) so what should a "almost new" build be priced at? I still think $45K or so isn't a bad price for a build with 900 miles on it. I really don't like trades but it might be worth it in these days? We shall see.

I really enjoyed the build! It took me a long time but hey that was OK and it was what it took to do it right. I have a 66 Mustang 2+2 to restore and a 67 Shelby GT500 to finish for a friend. I've gotten bitten by the FE snake and have collected some pretty neat Tunnel Port stuff for the 67 too. I just see the FIA sitting there and I can't fit the other 3 family members in that ole girl. Then it's the arguing with my boy's over who rode in the Cobra last!!!

I still think (though others argue) that having a Cobra registered as a 1965 Cobra Conv. is pretty important these days. Unfortunately, if I sell I'm out and won't be able to do another "kit" unless Ga. changes the titling/ emission issues. I pretty sure my car can be transferred to just about any state with out the headaches and problems most are encountering!! I bought my car registered this way and it transferred over to me this way with NO problems!

Tim, you and Jeffy have some really neat builds going on up there at ERA. Jeffs car looks almost identical too mine in everyday, well almost. I really admire your patience and diligence when dealing with ERA. They do build a great car and Doug and Bob have been tremendous help with mine over the years. The time spent here on CC is amazing too. I wish I had taken more pics and had the time to cover it all in a thread but I'm not that computer savy!! Best of luck with the build. I look forward to seeing more pics! Regards, Matt